Several elders at Gateway Church have been removed following a four-month investigation into lead pastor Robert Morris' confession of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The inquiry examined whether some elders were aware of the abuse and failed to act.
In June 2024, Morris confessed to having an inappropriate relationship with 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire for roughly four years, starting in 1982. When Morris made his confession, elders of Gateway said they they only knew there had been "inappropriate sexual behaviour with a young lady" but no further details.
Clemishire has been vocal about the fact that back in 2005 she shared details of the abuse with church elders. This summer the elders spoke up publicly saying they didn't have all the information.
One elder from Gateway, Tra Willbanks, shared an update of the internal investigation led by the law firm Haynes & Boone related to Morris this past Saturday in Southlake.
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"We now know that there were elders and employees at Gateway who knew before June 14, 2024, that Cindy was 12 at the time of the abuse," Willbanks said. "Both groups are fundamentally wrong and simply cannot and will not be tolerated at Gateway Church."
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Willbanks has shared with the public that all the elders except three knew about the abuse beforehand.
No names of elders were specifically given by Willbanks on Saturday. However, since the announcement, photographs of elders Kevin Grove, Thomas Miller, Jeremy Carrasco and Gayland Lawshe have been removed from the church's website.
"We have decided to draw a very bright line here based on biblical and moral values and the values of our church family, and we can report to you that as of today, no individual in either group serves as an elder, is employed by or works at Gateway Church," Willbanks said. "They have been removed."
Willbanks, Dane Minor and Kenneth Fambro are staying on staff as elders. According to the investigation, these three had no knowledge of the abuse by Morris until he publicly confessed it in June.
"What happened to Cindy was heartbreaking and vile, and we denounce any sexual abuse in all of its forms," said Willbanks. "We feel deep sorrow for those who have been victimized by such despicable actions, but I do want to take a minute, and I just want to appreciate Cindy for her bravery and for telling her story for helping bring some awareness to this issue. She has positively impacted countless lives."
This fall author and speaker Max Lucado has temporarily stepped into the pastoral role as the church moves ahead without Morris.